I'm not a hundred percent sure today's my blog day, but I think it is. I lost my schedule and forgot to write it down, but since I didn't see anyone else's bog up today, I'm jumping in. I hope I'm not stepping on the toes of whoever's day it really is.See my new toy? What do you think? Seriously, this is my latest "fitness" purchase, though it hasn't arrived yet. I ordered it online. It was on sale, free shipping, and I also bought the knee, elbow and wrist pads to go with it. Ahem. I'm not a total idiot.
Why a unicycle, you ask? And what does it have to do with writing? I'll get to the second question in a minute. First things first.
When I was 10 years old, I didn't have a bicycle. I'd grown out of my baby bike, and, newly widowed, Mom couldn't afford to buy me a new one like my big sister's. However, I managed to convince her to purchase a one-wheeled mode of conveyance that would get me to and from school. Hence the unicycle. Yes indeedy, I was the 5th grade circus act at my elementary school.
Riding a unicycle to school every day, and balancing my books in my arms while doing it, was a challenge. But it was fun! Seriously. I even talked a friend into getting one so that we could ride to school together. But after a few months the novelty wore off and the teasing wore thin. I was going through my tom-boy stage, and like most pre-adolescent stages, it didn't last. Girly-girls don't ride unicycles to school.
I rode my one-wheeled wonder off and for several years after that, but it didn't take long for the darn thing to become too small for me. The seat was shredded from other people wanting to try it, falling off, and then letting it bounce and skid across the pavement. Some people thought that if I could ride it, so could they. Oh, contrare. It's not as easy as it looks. It takes balance, skill, and strong leg and stomach muscles to control a bike with one wheel.
Riding a unicycle is a lot like writing a book. It takes balance, skill, and a strong stomach to ride it all the way to the end. Like riding a uni, it's not as easy as it looks. I finally tossed the busted up old uni before moving to Oregon 2 1/2 years ago. Coincidentally, 2 1/2 years ago I started slacking on my writing. Am I being superstitious? Maybe a little. And my husband is mildly unhappy about my latest purchase because he thinks I'm going to fall and crack my head open. I suppose there's a chance of that, but you know what they say about bicycles. You never forget how to ride one. It's a bit different with a uni, but hey, I like to live dangerously. And I desperately need to strengthen my leg and stomach muscles.
Are you superstitious about your writing? Can you only write in a certain room of your house? Must you have your mascot (dog, cat, child
6 comments:
Karen--Your new toy is adorable. You couldn't pay me to get on one, but I am thrilled you are going to rediscover something you once enjoyed. How cool. I hope you can handle the teasing...
A few years ago, I recaptured a toy from my past when I bought a Honda 55. Boy was that a fun time when I was a kid. We lived in a rural community with private roads so I could go everywhere plus there were miles of dirt trails. I just loved that bike.
Fast forward to ten years ago--I bought the new one. I loved it all over again but this time, my balance sucked and it worried everyone when I was on it. Later, I would understand that my balance was steadily improving after the chemo, but at the time, I thought that was the way it was. And so I resold the bike.
Maybe I should get another....
Fun Blog.
Alice
You go Uni-Girl!
I've never had enough balance to ride a bike with two wheels let alone one wheel!
As for rituals - I think my only ritual is responding to e-mails and blogging in the morning to get my fingers warmed up and my creative juices bubbling. I do like to listen to music and have found if I listen to the same music for a project it makes it easier to get into that project each time I start.
But I don't wear certain clothes or have to be in any certain spot to write. I can write on the computer or long hand as long as the idea or scene is playing in my head I can write it in the snow! LOL
Hey, where is everyone today? Something against unicycles? lol!
Alice, yes, you should get another Honda 55. Motorcycles have never been my thing. I get confused with the whole foot shifting gears, then the breaks and throttle on the handlebars. That's just bass-ackwards.
Paty, you don't ride a two-wheeler? Oh, the joys of riding a bike! Well, you ride 4-legged animals, which is twice as exciting. I've always loved horseback riding. We should go someday. 8^)
Karen
Alice - I can see you as a motorcycle mama! Black leather, rose tatoo... I love the comic strip Rose and her alter ego!
Yes, Karen, When the weather gets better you should come out and ride horses with me.
Karen, my son rode a unicycle during his junior high and high school years. He could even juggle while riding the cycle. I could never get on the thing (I never got the hang of juggling, either), but I could probably still ride a bicycle if I had one. As for rituals, I like writing longhand while propped up in bed. I make a few changes as I type the first draft into the computer later. Sometimes I warm up by doing stream-of-consciousness writing when I first wake up. Enjoy your unicycle!
How cool, Karen!!! I want to see you ride it. ;)
No real rituals here. Maybe I need to get some.
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